SC to now hear together Kejriwal govt's civil suit with appeal against Delhi HC order

The Supreme Court has now decided to hear together Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government’s civil suit seeking a declaration that the national capital is a state as well as its petition against Delhi High Court’s decision that said that the Lt. Governo

The Supreme Court has now decided to hear together Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government’s civil suit seeking a declaration that the national capital is a state as well as its petition against Delhi High Court’s decision that said that the Lt. Governor is the administrative head of Delhi as it’s a Union Territory.

The apex court bench of Justices A K Sikri and N V Ramana pointed out that since the Delhi government is going to challenge the Delhi High Court’s decision, its civil suit filed in Supreme Court is of no use now.

"You have to challenge the order of the Delhi High Court. Whether the HC has decided the issue rightly or wrongly would be decided by the Supreme Court in a Special Leave Petition (SLP). What is the use of this suit now? What is the point in duplicating the proceedings?" the Supreme Court bench said.

As AAP government's earlier suit came up for hearing, the court said that instead of pursuing its earlier civil suit, the city government should file an appeal challenging the Delhi High Court's decision.

Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for the Arvind Kejriwal government, informed the bench that a fresh appeal would be filed shortly in the apex court against the decision of the High Court.

She sought adjournment of the proceedings on the original civil suit earlier filed by Delhi government seeking various reliefs including a declaration that the national capital is a state and not a Union Territory (UT).